AUTHOR=Li Jingqiu , Hu Xinyang , Tao Xinyu , Li Yuming , Jiang Wan , Zhao Mingtao , Ma Zhehui , Chen Bangjie , Sheng Shuyan , Tong Jiaye , Zhang Haibo , Shen Bing , Gao Xiaomei 

TITLE=Deconstruct the link between gut microbiota and neurological diseases: application of Mendelian randomization analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1433131

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2025.1433131

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=BackgroundRecent research on the gut-brain axis has deepened our understanding of the correlation between gut bacteria and the neurological system. The inflammatory response triggered by gut microbiota may be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the impact of gut microbiota on emotional state, known as the “Gut-mood” relationship, could play a role in depression and anxiety disorders.ResultsThis review summarizes recent data on the role of gut-brain axis in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, brain cancer, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder and stroke. Also, we conducted a Mendelian randomization study on seven neurological disorders (Epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, brain cancer, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder and stroke). MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO tests confirmed the robustness of analysis against horizontal pleiotropy.ConclusionsBy comparing the protective and risk factors for neurological disorders found in our research and other researches, we can furtherly determine valuable indicators for disease evolution tracking and potential treatment targets. Future research should explore extensive microbiome genome-wide association study datasets using metagenomics sequencing techniques to deepen our understanding of connections and causality between neurological disorders.